Dynamic network resource availability for planned events

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a method for managing network resources of a communication network. The method includes determining a number of expected users to be physically present at a planned event. The expected users are associated with a network operator. The method also includes adapting an amount of available network resources for the network operator in conjunction with the planned event based on the number of expected users. Also disclosed herein is a computer program product, an apparatus and a control node.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of managing networkresources in communication networks. More particularly, it relates topro-actively managing network resources in association with users in thenetwork.

BACKGROUND

With the development of 5^(th) generation of networks (also commonlyknown as next generation of networks, 5G or New Radio networks), thereis typically expected a gigantic increase in number of connected devicesin the network(s). Further, different devices will typically havedifferent requirements regarding services and features. For example, theproposed broadband speeds for mobile devices in 5G network is 50+ Mbpseverywhere there is coverage (maximum supported speed being even more).In addition, the number of services proposed to be offered by 5G willincrease significantly, e.g., smart offices, virtual reality,virtual/simulation gaming, remote surgery and the like, which willtypically result in further increase in network traffic. Thus, thenetwork congestion in future networks will typically require seriousconsiderations by network service providers.

In the past, different mechanisms have been proposed to handle (andavoid) network congestion. Existing solutions include e.g. bothproactive and reactive approaches to handle network congestion in thenetwork. For example, the patent application US20160080275 (titled:“User Prioritization in a Congested Network”) discloses means to handlenetwork traffic when the network is already congested by assigningdifferent priorities to different users. Based on identified priorities,the network provider may take informed decisions to optimize the networktraffic.

However, there exists a need to have methods and system that willincrease the accuracy of predicting the requirements of additionalnetwork resources based on the available information.

SUMMARY

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising”(replaceable by “includes/including”) when used in this specification istaken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, orcomponents, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

Generally, when an arrangement is referred to herein, it is to beunderstood as a physical product; e.g., an apparatus. The physicalproduct may comprise one or more parts, such as controlling circuitry inthe form of one or more controllers, one or more processors, or thelike.

It is an object of some embodiments to solve or mitigate, alleviate, oreliminate at least some of the above disadvantages and to providemethods and apparatuses for enabling proactive resource scheduling andadaption in order to avoid network congestion at e.g. planned events.

According to a first aspect, this is achieved by a method for managingnetwork resources of a communication network. The method comprisesdetermining a number of expected users to be physically present at aplanned event, wherein the expected users are associated with a networkoperator.

The method also comprises adapting an amount of available networkresources for the network operator in conjunction with the planned eventbased on the number of expected users.

In some embodiments, the planned event is a physical event associatedwith a geographical location being under coverage of the communicationnetwork.

In some embodiments, adapting the amount of available network resourcescomprises obtaining a respective user profile for each of the expectedusers. The respective user profile comprises information pertaining tohistorical and/or current data usage for the expected user, and themethod comprises adapting the amount of available network resourcesbased on the historical and/or current data usage for the expectedusers.

In some embodiments, the respective user profile further comprisesinformation pertaining to historical and/or current data usage inconjunction with one or more other events being of a same or similartype as the planned event for the expected user.

In some embodiments, adapting the amount of available network resourcesis further based on one or more of: a location of the planned event,timings associated with the planned event, an event type, a currentnetwork load, and a historical network load.

In some embodiments, the expected users have registered to the plannedevent prior to the planned event through a registration portalassociated with the planned event. Determining the number of expectedusers further comprises acquiring the number of expected users from theregistration portal.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining foreach of the expected users whether the expected user is an active userand adapting the amount of available network resources in conjunctionwith the planned event based on a number of active users of the expectedusers associated with the network operator.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise monitoring anactual data usage of each of the expected users during the plannedevent, storing information pertaining to the actual data usage for eachexpected user and using the stored information pertaining to the actualdata usage for each expected user when adapting available networkresources for at least one future event.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining a totalnumber of users expected to utilize network resources in conjunctionwith the planned event, wherein the total number of users comprises thenumber of expected users and other users associated with at least oneother network operator.

A second aspect is a computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computerreadable medium has stored there on a computer program comprisingprogram instructions. The computer program is configured to be loadableinto a data-processing unit, comprising a processor and a memoryassociated with or integral to the data-processing unit. When loadedinto the data-processing unit, the computer program is configured to bestored in the memory. The computer program, when loaded into and run bythe processor is configured to cause the processor to execute methodsteps according to the method described in conjunction with the firstaspect.

A third aspect is an apparatus for managing network resources of acommunication network, the apparatus comprising controlling circuitryconfigured to cause determination of a number of expected users to bephysically present at a planned event, wherein the expected users areassociated with a network operator and cause adaptation of an amount ofavailable network resources for the network operator in conjunction withthe planned event based on the number of expected users.

In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to carry out the methodaccording to the first aspect.

A fourth aspect is a control node for a communication network, thecontrol node comprising the apparatus according to the third aspect.

In some embodiments, any of the above aspects may additionally havefeatures identical with or corresponding to any of the various featuresas explained above for any of the other aspects.

An advantage of some embodiments is that network congestion may beproactively avoided by means of granular network resource adaption.

An advantage of some embodiments is that efficient network utilizationmay be enabled while still avoiding network congestion by means ofproactive and granular network resource adaption.

Another advantage of some embodiments is network resources may beadapted for a given time at a given place for a given network operator,thus providing higher granularity when scheduling network resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the followingdetailed description of embodiments, with reference being made to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating communication according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a predictive model according to someembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer programproduct according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to someembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via anintermediate network to a host computer in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a host computer communicating via a base station witha user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps implemented in acommunication system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps implemented in acommunication system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps implemented ina communication system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps implemented ina communication system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, embodiments will be described where network resourcesare managed for a certain network operator based on a number of usersassociated with the network operator and expected to utilize networkresources at a determined time, e.g. at a planned event.

As mentioned earlier, the development of 5G is most likely going to openup the possibility to have an excessive number of connected devicesutilizing a network and its available resources.

Hence network congestion is a problem that is likely to increase.Network congestion is an ever-present problem, and the methods andapparatus as described herein is applicable on not only 5G networks.They could e.g. be applicable in any other known network type, such as2G, 3G, 4G, etc.

The solutions that exist today for handling network congestion aretypically not granular enough to correctly predict the requirements ofnetwork resources in case of suspected network congestion (e.g. during aplanned event where a large number of users or subscribers are expectedto be present.)

FIG. 1 illustrates an example method 100 according to some embodimentsfor managing network resources of a communication network. The method100 start in step 110 with determining a number of expected users to bephysically present at a planned event, wherein the expected users areassociated with a network operator.

In some embodiments, the planned event may e.g. be a physical eventassociated with a geographical location being under coverage of thecommunication network. The planned event may e.g. be a concert, sportsevent, demonstration, market or any other type of happening that isexpected to draw a crowd. The planned event may further be held at aphysical location that is being covered by one or more network nodesproviding network coverage, which network will typically be utilized bythe crowd attending the event.

When referring to users herein it is meant to refer to e.g. subscribersthat are associated with a network operator. A user may hence be aphysical person having access to a communication device that utilize thenetwork provided by the network operator.

The method 100 may then continue in step 112 with adapting an amount ofavailable network resources for the network operator in conjunction withthe planned event based on the number of expected users.

As illustrated in step 112 a and 112 b network resources may bescheduled to be either increased (step 112 a) or decreased (step 112 b)based on the expected utilization during the event.

E.g. if the network utilisation is expected to be substantial (e.g.because many users are expected to be present with their communicationdevices with them) then the network resources may be scheduled to beincreased. Increase of network resources may e.g. be realized byrequesting additional resources from the network, performing networkslicing, performing edge computing at the event, reserve bandwidth forthe particular event or any other known conventional method forincreasing the amount of available network resources.

If the number of expected users are low on the other hand, it may bedetermined that the regular amount of available network resources aremore than enough to support the users during the event. The operator mayhence determine that available network resources may be decreased inorder to provide for economic network resource utilisation while stillavoiding congestion.

In order to provide a more granular estimation of needed networkresources for the planned event, the method 100 may also compriseoptional step 111 further comprising determining, for each of theexpected users, whether the expected user is an active user and adaptingthe amount of available network resources in conjunction with theplanned event based on a number of active users of the expected usersassociated with the network operator.

An active user may e.g. be a user that is verified to exist and isactive in a network. I.e. the physical person has its communicationdevice turned on and regularly utilizes it in the network provided bythe operator.

If a user is determined to be active, its usage pattern may be takeninto consideration for when adapting the available network resourcessince it is likely that the communication device of the user will bepresent at the event.

If the user is determined to be not active (the user may e.g. haveentered the wrong credentials when registering to the planned event, seebelow, or it has simply been turned off for a long time) that particularuser may not have to be taken into consideration when adapting theavailable network resources.

In some embodiments, in order to in step 110 be able to determine thenumber of expected users, the method may comprise that the expectedusers have registered to the planned event prior to the planned eventthrough a registration portal associated with the planned event. Hencedetermining the number of expected users may comprise acquiring thenumber of expected users from the registration portal.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, adapting the amount of availablenetwork resources may comprise obtaining a respective user profile foreach of the expected users, wherein the respective user profilecomprises information pertaining to historical and/or current data usagefor the expected user, and adapting the amount of available networkresources based on the historical and/or current data usage for theexpected users.

By accessing information pertaining to each of the expected usersassociated with network operator, the network resources may be adaptedbased on past and/or present usage pattern for each user. E.g. if amajority of the expected users have a user profile that indicate thatthey are prone to utilize their connected communication deviceexcessively, more network resources than originally intended may bescheduled for the network operator during the planned event.

In some embodiments, the respective user profile may further compriseinformation pertaining to historical and/or current data usage inconjunction with one or more other events being of a same or similartype as the planned event for the expected user.

If e.g. the planned event is a football game, the user profile maycomprise information associated with network utilization of the userwhen the user has attended other football games and/or other sportsevent.

In some embodiments, adapting the amount of available network resourcesmay further be based on one or more of: a location of the planned event,timings associated with the planned event, an event type, a currentnetwork load, and a historical network load.

The location of the event may e.g. affect the network utilization basedon if it's a closed location such as building or arena, or if it's anopen location, such as a field or a park. In an open location it may beassumed that users which are not registered to the event may still becatered by the network, whereas in a closed location it may bedetermined that the users that have registered to the event are the onlyones that will utilize the network resources, or that very few otherusers that have not registered will be present (such as e.g. staff atthe location, artists, players, extras etc.).

In the same manner, timings of the planned event may be taken intoconsideration, e.g. if the event is scheduled to take place in day timeor night time. This in combination with e.g. the location parameters ofthe event may lead to an increase or decrease in network resourcesplanned for scheduling. An open location in day time may e.g. attractmore users than an open location at night time.

In some embodiments, the timings of the event may also be used forknowing when additional or less network resources typically needs to bescheduled.

In some embodiments, information of the planned event and informationassociated with the user profiles may be inputs in a predictive modelused for determining an expected amount of network resources neededduring the planned event. A predictive model according to someembodiments will be described in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the method 100 may further continue in optionalstep 113 comprising monitoring an actual data usage of each of theexpected users during the planned event. The method may then continue inoptional step 114 with associating and storing the monitored utilizationto each user by storing information pertaining to the actual data usagefor each expected user.

The information may e.g. be added to the user profile of the user.

In some embodiments, the method 100 may loop back to step 112, where thestored information pertaining to the actual data usage for each expecteduser is used when adapting available network resources for at least onefuture event.

In some embodiments, the method 100 may further comprise determining atotal number of users expected to utilize network resources inconjunction with the planned event, wherein the total number of userscomprises the number of expected users and other users associated withat least one other network operator.

The method 100 has been described in general terms, and could beperformed e.g. by standard entities within e.g. a 5G network as will bedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a signalling diagram between network entities in a 5Gnetwork topology.

The signalling diagram depicts the messages that flow between thenetwork functions/entities shown in FIG. 2 i.e. Over The Top (OTT)server 201, Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) 202, NetworkData Analytics Funtion (NWDAF) 203, Unified Data Management (UDM) 204,Analytical Server (AnServ) 205 and Operation Support System(OSS)/Management and Orchestration (MANO) 206 and may e.g. illustratethe message/signalling flow carried out when performing the method 100as described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

UDM 204, NWDAF 203, and SCEF 202 are standard network functions in theproposed 5G network architecture.

OTT server 201 may correspond to a server belonging to an over the topplayer that might be involved in the scheduling of the planned event.For example, the OTT server 201 may correspond to a web server thatfacilitates for the users/subscribers to attend/register for the saidevent through a web-portal.

Analytical server 205 may correspond to a server that may interact withdifferent network functions in the 5G network in order to fetchhistorical data associated with the users and historical data about thenetwork resource utilization in the network. OSS/MANO 206 may correspondto a management and orchestrating system that may be used to instantiatenetwork resources (compute, network, storage, radio resources etc.) inthe 5G network at pre-defined network functions.

At step 210, the OTT server 201 transmits the information about aplanned event which is going to take place at a predetermined location.In a 5G network deployment, the OTT server 201 may transmit thisinformation to the network function SCEF 202. The event may correspondto various social groupings e.g. musical concerts, sports matches,movies, conferences, exhibitions, and the like.

Thus, the OTT server 201 may host the registration portal and theexpected users have registered to the planned event prior to the plannedevent through the registration portal associated with the planned event,and determining the number of expected users comprises acquiring thenumber of expected users from the registration portal (compare with step110 of the method 100).

The planned event may e.g. be the planned event as described inconjunction with FIG. 1. Since users have registered/scheduled for theevent through the OTT server 201, it will have information about theusers attending the planned event at said location.

In some embodiments, the OTT server 201 may then transmit the belowinformation to the SCEF 202:

Subscriber list—e.g. list of MSISDNs associated with the network serviceprovider/network operator (the terms network service provider andnetwork operator may be used interchangeably in this disclosure);

Event Location—e.g. represented by L;

Event Type—e.g. represented by T;

Event Timing—e.g. start time (t1) and end time (t2) of the event;

The OTT server 201 may transmit above information to the SCEF 202 overinterfaces that are already known in the art (e.g. through REST API).

It should be noted that OTT server 201 may determine theusers/subscribers associated with the network service provider/networkoperator (out of the total amount of users who registered for the event)based on conventionally known methods. For example, if the OTT server201 has the information about a thousand users are attending the event(based on registrations to the event), the OTT server 201 may determinethat only four hundred users are subscribers belonging to the networkservice provider/network operator associated with FIG. 2 (i.e. thenetwork operator that both provides network function as well as servesthe expected users), e.g. by accessing the MSISDN of the users.

In another embodiment, the OTT server may transmit the information aboutall the users (i.e. including subscribers belonging to other networkservice providers) based on e.g. the non-disclosure-agreement (NDA)between the OTT player and the network service provider, withoutdeviating from the embodiments disclosed herein.

The SCEF 202 may then, based on the received information, determine anumber of expected users to be physically present at a planned event,wherein the expected users are associated with a network operator(compare with step 110 of method 100). The SCEF 202 may e.g. check whichusers out of the total amount of users that belong the network operatorby checking the MSISDN of the users and compare it to a data base hostedby the operator comprising its subscribers (e.g. the UDM, see furtherbelow).

In some embodiments, the OTT server 201 may determine a number ofexpected users to be physically present at a planned event, wherein theexpected users are associated with a network operator (compare with step110 of the method 100).

At step 211, the SCEF 202 may transmit the subscription information(e.g. 400 MSISDNs associated with the network service provider) receivedfrom the OTT server 201 to the network function NWDAF 203. Hence, thenetwork function SCEF 202 may in some embodiments just facilitate theexposure of the network function NWDAF 203 towards the externalnon-trusted domain (i.e. the OTT server 201).

At step 212, the NWDAF 203 contacts the UDM 204 for identifying thesubscribers that are currently active (compare with step 111 of themethod 100). It will be understood that knowing the activations statusmay be advantageous in order to determine the actual existence ofprovided subscriptions in the network provider's database (i.e. the UDM204). The NWDAF may e.g. inform the UDM of all of the expectedusers/subscribers associated with the network operator and to be presentat the planned event.

At step 213 UDM 204 may provide an activation status for the each of thesubscribers received from the NWDAF 203. Since the UDM 204 includes thedatabase of all the subscribers belonging to the network serviceprovider, it may determine the activation status of the subscribers andprovide this information to the NWDAF. Based on this information, theNWDAF may determine the subscribers that are active in the home networkand are expected to be present in the location for the planned event(compare with step 111 of the method 100).

For example, continuing to the previous example, if out of four hundredsubscribers belonging to the network service provider, fifty subscribersare disconnected from the time they registered for the event (or, let'ssay, they provided wrong information during the registration), then theUDM provides the information to NWDAF that only three hundred and fiftysubscribers (out of the provided four hundred subscribers) are actuallyactive in the network.

At step 214, for managing network resources by adapting an amount ofavailable network resources for the network operator in conjunction withthe planned event based on the number of expected users (compare withstep 112 of the method 100), the NWDAF 203 may request the analyticalserver 205 to provide the usage-pattern associated with the filtered setof subscribers (i.e. 350 (active) subscribers belonging to the networkservice provider in the above example). In addition, NWDAF may alsorequest the analytical server 205 to provide historical informationabout the network resource utilization (e.g. from the Session ManagementFunction (SMF) that covers the area of event location). The SMF is notdepicted in FIG. 2 for sake of simplicity, but is also a generalfunction of a 5G architecture.

Hence the NWDAF may obtain a respective user profile from the analyticalserver for each of the expected users, wherein the respective userprofile comprises information pertaining to historical and/or currentdata usage for the expected user, and adapting the amount of availablenetwork resources based on the historical and/or current data usage forthe expected users.

As discussed, the analytical server may correspond to any analyticalserver that maintains information related to usage-pattern associatedwith the subscribers in the network and the historical information aboutthe network resource utilization. Usage-pattern for the subscribers maybe determined based on historical data associated with the subscribers.For example, the analytical server may communicate with the networkfunction SMF to fetch information related to data usage by thesubscribers and hence form a user profile for each user comprising itsresource usage pattern. Thus, the analytical server may provide theinformation about type of services used (e.g. video streaming, virtualreality gaming, video conference etc.), duration of the sessions forwhich services was used, data download during services usage and thelike.

Hence in some embodiments the user profile may further compriseinformation pertaining to historical and/or current data usage inconjunction with one or more other events being of a same or similartype as the planned event for the expected user.

Similarly, the analytical server may provide the installed networkresources and their utilization to the NWDAF 203, wherein the installednetwork resources and their utilization is for the location of theplanned event.

It will be understood that, as per current 3GPP specifications (e.g.referring 3GPP specification 23.501), the NWDAF is suggested to provideload related information about network slices to the requesting networkfunctions (e.g. Policy Control Function, PCF). Thus, it is proposed bythe embodiments provided herein to e.g. enrich the functionalities ofthe NWDAF to cater to such general analytics also, as described above.

In another embodiment, instead of the NWDAF 203, a separate networkfunction (not depicted in FIG. 2) may fetch this historical informationabout usage pattern (i.e. the user profile) associated with thesubscribers from the analytical server. The separate function may e.g.be other network function in a proposed 5G network, or it may be a newnetwork function that may have been developed specifically for thispurpose. It may be separate from the NWDAF or a part of the NWDAF.

In further embodiment, the NWDAF (or the separate network function) mayconstruct/obtain the user profile for each user by fetching thehistorical information directly from other network functions (e.g. datausage pattern from SMF, over Network Slice Management Function, NSMF,interface) instead of getting this information from the analyticalserver.

At step 215, the NWDAF may estimate a requirement for additional networkresources based on the received information (compare with step 112 ofthe method 100). It should be understood that the historical informationabout the usage-pattern at the event location and between the start andend timings of the event can be extracted from the information providedby the analytical server (or provided by other functions such as SMF,NSMF). NWDAF may utilize this information along with the informationabout current and historical information about network utilization toestimate the requirement of additional network resources at the locationat said timings and for said event type.

For such estimation, predictive models that are commonly known may beused. The predictive models will take different kinds of input (e.g.usage-pattern, timings, location, event type, historical network load,current network load etc.) to predict the requirement of additionalnetwork resources. Different examples of a predictive model can bemachine learning algorithms, artificial intelligence algorithms,curve-fitting for extrapolation of data etc.

FIG. 3 is e.g. a schematic drawing of a predictive model (PreMod) 300receiving user related input (USR) 310 and network related input(NW-DATA) 320 to estimate/determine/calculate an expected network loadduring the planned event such that the network operator may instruct thenetwork to schedule additional, or an decreased amount of, resources forthe operator's subscribers during/for the planned event. The predictivemodel 300 may e.g. in some embodiments form part of the method 100 orsignalling diagram as described in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2respectively.

User related input may e.g. be information pertaining to the userprofiles. Network related input may e.g. be information pertaining tothe location of the event, or other network related parameters suchsignal quality, level of congestions, coverage etc.

Hence, the NWDAF may determine additional network resource requirements(e.g. in the terms of computations, storage, network, or radio resourcerequirements) that are expected to be additionally required at the eventlocation due to estimated resource usage by the subscribers attendingthe planned event.

Returning to FIG. 2, at step 216, the NWDAF may schedule the deploymentof these additional resource requirements (i.e. increase or decrease ofscheduled network resources for the operator in conjunction with theplanned event). For example, the NWDAF may schedule the deploymentthrough an Operation Support System (OSS) node or through some cloudorchestrator node. Such orchestrators may ensure the instantiation ofthe scheduled computations, storage, network, or radio resources usingmethods known in the art.

Hence, the NWDAF may, in some embodiments, adapt an amount of availablenetwork resources for the network operator in conjunction with theplanned event based on the number of expected users.

In some embodiments, the NWDAF may further adapt the amount of availablenetwork resources based on one or more of: a location of the plannedevent, timings associated with the planned event, an event type, acurrent network load, and a historical network load.

In some embodiments, the NWDAF may adapt the amount of available networkresources in conjunction with the planned event based on the number ofactive users of the expected users associated with the network operator.

In some embodiments, the NWDAF may further monitoring an actual datausage of each of the expected users during the planned event, storeinformation pertaining to the actual data usage for each expected userand use the stored information pertaining to the actual data usage foreach expected user when adapting available network resources for atleast one future event.

The NWDAF may e.g. relay to the analytical server the actual resourceutilization during the event, and the analytical server may store thisinformation in association to each respective user in its respectiveuser profile.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer readable medium 400. The non-transitory computerreadable medium has stored there on a computer program comprisingprogram instructions. The computer program is configured to be loadableinto a data-processing unit 410, comprising a processor 420 and a memory430 associated with or integral to the data-processing unit 410. Whenloaded into the data-processing unit 410, the computer program isconfigured to be stored in the memory 430, wherein the computer program,when loaded into and run by the processor 420 is configured to cause theprocessor 420 to execute method steps according to any of the methodsdescribed in conjunction with any of the FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus 500 according to some embodiments.

The apparatus (500) may be for managing network resources of acommunication network. The apparatus comprises controlling circuitry(CNTR) 520 configured to cause determination of a number of expectedusers to be physically present at a planned event, wherein the expectedusers are associated with a network operator, and adaptation of anamount of available network resources for the network operator inconjunction with the planned event based on the number of expectedusers.

The apparatus 500 may e.g. be a network node operating in a wirelesscommunication network. The apparatus may e.g. be a base station, acomputer, a communication device, a remote server, a cloudimplementation etc.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 may be, or be comprised in a,control node.

The apparatus 500 may be associated with a network operator and/orconfigured to communicate with or comprise network functions (FUNC) 525such as one or more of UDM, NWDAF, SCEF, AnSery and OSS/MANO.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 is configured to operate in a 5Gnetwork environment.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 is configured to operate in atleast one of a 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G environment.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 is configured to carry out any ofthe methods, signalling, and predictive models as described inconjunction with any of FIGS. 1-3.

To this end, the controlling circuitry 520 may comprise a user circuit(USR) 521 for causing the USR to determine a number of expected users tobe present at a planned event. The USR (or the controlling circuitry520) may e.g. cause an antenna arrangement (RX/TX) 510 comprised orassociated with the apparatus 500 to receive a user/subscriber list froman external server, such as a OTT-external server. The USR 521 may thencause determination of the expected users based on the received userlist. In some embodiments, the USR 521 may be configured to causeretrieval of the users expected to be present at the planned the eventwithout the assistance of an external OTT-server.

To this end, the controlling circuitry may also comprise a determiner(DET) 522 configured to cause determination of the number of expectedusers (e.g. by causing the USR 521).

In some embodiments, the planned event is a physical event associatedwith a geographical location being under coverage of the communicationnetwork. The apparatus may e.g. in some embodiments be physicallydeployed in the vicinity of the planned event, or may be deployedphysically or non-physically at a remote location.

In some embodiments, the controlling circuitry (520) is furtherconfigured to cause adaptation of the amount of available networkresources by causing obtainment of a respective user profile for each ofthe expected users. The respective user profile may comprise informationpertaining to historical and/or current data usage for the expecteduser. The controlling circuitry 520 may further be configured to causeadaptation of the amount of available network resources based on thehistorical and/or current data usage for the expected users.

The controlling circuitry 521 may e.g. be configured to cause the USR521 to retrieve the respective user profiles according to any of theexamples listed above for forming/retrieving/obtaining the user profile.

To this end, the controlling circuitry 521 may comprise a resourcemanager (RES) 523 and may further be configured to cause the RES 523 toadapt scheduled network resources for the operator based on the numberof expected users and their respective user pattern derived from theirrespective user profile.

In some embodiments, the respective user profile further comprisesinformation pertaining to historical and/or current data usage inconjunction with one or more other events being of a same or similartype as the planned event for the expected user.

The event may e.g. be a sports event, a concert, a planned demonstrationor similar. In some embodiments, the planned event is a holiday such asNew Year's Eve, when it is expected that a multitude of users willutilize the network at the same time (e.g. at midnight).

In some embodiments, the controlling circuitry 520 is configured tocause adaptation of the amount of available network resources based onone or more of: a location of the planned event, timings associated withthe planned event, an event type, a current network load, and ahistorical network load.

The controlling circuitry may e.g. cause the RES 523 to adapt the amountof available network resources based on one or more of: a location ofthe planned event, timings associated with the planned event, an eventtype, a current network load, and a historical network load.

In some embodiments, the expected users have registered to the plannedevent prior to the planned event through a registration portalassociated with the planned event. The controlling circuitry 520 may beconfigured to cause determination of the number of expected users bycausing acquirement of the number of expected users from theregistration portal.

The registration portal may be hosted on the web, e.g. by the apparatus500, or by an external server, such as an OTT-server (compare with FIG.2). The registration portal may be associated with the planned event andmay comprise a plurality of other events to which users may register.The registration portal may be associated with the network operator, andwith other network operators. It may hence be part of a service providedby the network operator for ensuring good network performance to itsuser wherever they are or whenever they need it.

In some embodiments, the controlling circuitry (520) is furtherconfigured to cause determination, for each of the expected users, ofwhether the expected user is an active user and adapting the amount ofavailable network resources in conjunction with the planned event basedon a number of active users of the expected users associated with thenetwork operator.

The controlling circuitry 521 may e.g. cause the USR 521 and/or the DET522 to cause determination of the number of active users according toany of the examples described above for determining active users.

In some embodiments, the controlling circuitry 520 is further configuredto cause monitoring of an actual data usage of each of the expectedusers during the planned event, storing of information pertaining to theactual data usage for each expected user and usage of the storedinformation pertaining to the actual data usage for each expected userwhen adapting available network resources for at least one future event.

To this end, the controlling circuitry 520 may further comprise a memory(MEM) 524 for storing information pertaining to actual data usage foreach expected user. The controlling circuitry 520 may further beconfigured to associate the actual data usage with each expected user bycausing addition of it to the user profile of each expected user.

In some embodiments, the controlling circuitry 520 is further configuredto cause determination of a total number of users expected to utilizenetwork resources in conjunction with the planned event, wherein thetotal number of users comprises the number of expected users and otherusers associated with at least one other network operator.

The controlling circuitry 520 may e.g. cause USR 521 or DET 522 todetermine the number of total users. E.g. through any of the embodimentsdescribed above for determining a number of expected users.

The USR may e.g. obtain all users that have registered to the plannedevent through the registration portal, regardless of the operator towhich the users are associated.

It may be beneficial to have knowledge of all present users associatedwith a certain network operator in order to determine expectedcongestion of the network supplied at the planned event and further basethe amount of network resources needed on this.

According to some embodiments herein, a usage profile of the subscribersvisiting a particular location for a particular event is considered inorder to estimate the additional network resources required due to usagefrom those subscribers. In an embodiment of 5G network deployment,information about the scheduled availability of the subscribers at thelocation may typically be obtained by a network function SCEF from anexternal OTT service provider. Based on the received information, theSCEF filters down the subscribers associated with its own network andthen transmits the information about filtered set of subscribers to aNWDAF. Subsequently, the NWDAF fetches the usage-profile of thosefiltered set of subscribers (e.g. based on historical usage pattern forthose subscribers) from other network functions in the network. Based onthe usage-profile of those subscribers, along with the historical andcurrent information about network resource utilization, the NWDAF maydetermine the additional network resources required due to visitingsubscribers. Based on this available information, network resources arescheduled (e.g. through OSS) to be added or removed at the said locationto avoid network congestion but also ensuring economic resourceallocation during the subscribers' attendance to the planned event andevent location.

The embodiments described herein enables for a granular determinationand estimation of network resource utilisation.

The embodiments herein enables proactive resource adaption on agranularity level associated with the network operator and a given pointof time and place, such as at a planned event.

Hence network resources may be adapted with a large accuracy and maythus contribute to less risk of network congestion during the actualevent.

The embodiments herein have been mainly described for a 5G networkscenario, however the embodiments herein are not limited to 5G. Otherknown network types are also applicable since they comprisecorresponding network functions as those described herein for e.g.keeping track on user pattern and number of users associated with anetwork operator.

The described embodiments and their equivalents may be realized insoftware or hardware or a combination thereof. They may be performed bygeneral-purpose circuits associated with or integral to a communicationdevice, such as digital signal processors (DSP), central processingunits (CPU), co-processor units, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA)or other programmable hardware, or by specialized circuits such as forexample application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). All such formsare contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

Embodiments may appear within an electronic apparatus (such as awireless communication device) comprising circuitry/logic or performingmethods according to any of the embodiments. The electronic apparatusmay, for example, be a portable or handheld mobile radio communicationequipment, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile telephone, a base station,a base station controller, a pager, a communicator, an electronicorganizer, a smartphone, a computer, a notebook, a USB-stick, a plug-incard, an embedded drive, or a mobile gaming device.

According to some embodiments, a computer program product comprises acomputer readable medium such as, for example, a diskette or a CD-ROM.The computer readable medium may have stored thereon a computer programcomprising program instructions. The computer program may be loadableinto a data-processing unit, which may for example be comprised in amobile terminal. When loaded into the data-processing unit, the computerprogram may be stored in a memory associated with or integral to thedata-processing unit.

With reference to FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment, acommunication system includes telecommunication network QQ410, such as a3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network QQ411, suchas a radio access network, and core network QQ414. Access network QQ411comprises a plurality of base stations QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c, suchas NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, eachdefining a corresponding coverage area QQ413 a, QQ413 b, QQ413 c. Eachbase station QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c is connectable to core networkQQ414 over a wired or wireless connection QQ415. A first UE QQ491located in coverage area QQ413 c is configured to wirelessly connect to,or be paged by, the corresponding base station QQ412 c. A second UEQQ492 in coverage area QQ413 a is wirelessly connectable to thecorresponding base station QQ412 a. While a plurality of UEs QQ491,QQ492 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments areequally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coveragearea or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base stationQQ412.

Telecommunication network QQ410 is itself connected to host computerQQ430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of astandalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server oras processing resources in a server farm. Host computer QQ430 may beunder the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operatedby the service provider or on behalf of the service provider.Connections QQ421 and QQ422 between telecommunication network QQ410 andhost computer QQ430 may extend directly from core network QQ414 to hostcomputer QQ430 or may go via an optional intermediate network QQ420.Intermediate network QQ420 may be one of, or a combination of more thanone of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network QQ420,if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular,intermediate network QQ420 may comprise two or more sub-networks (notshown).

The communication system of FIG. 6 as a whole enables connectivitybetween the connected UEs QQ491, QQ492 and host computer QQ430. Theconnectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection QQ450.Host computer QQ430 and the connected UEs QQ491, QQ492 are configured tocommunicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection QQ450, using accessnetwork QQ411, core network QQ414, any intermediate network QQ420 andpossible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTTconnection QQ450 may be transparent in the sense that the participatingcommunication devices through which OTT connection QQ450 passes areunaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example,base station QQ412 may not or need not be informed about the pastrouting of an incoming downlink communication with data originating fromhost computer QQ430 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connectedUE QQ491. Similarly, base station QQ412 need not be aware of the futurerouting of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UEQQ491 towards the host computer QQ430.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE,base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphswill now be described with reference to FIG. 7. In communication systemQQ500, host computer QQ510 comprises hardware QQ515 includingcommunication interface QQ516 configured to set up and maintain a wiredor wireless connection with an interface of a different communicationdevice of communication system QQ500. Host computer QQ510 furthercomprises processing circuitry QQ518, which may have storage and/orprocessing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry QQ518 maycomprise one or more programmable processors, application-specificintegrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations ofthese (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer QQ510further comprises software QQ511, which is stored in or accessible byhost computer QQ510 and executable by processing circuitry QQ518.Software QQ511 includes host application QQ512. Host application QQ512may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE QQ530connecting via OTT connection QQ550 terminating at UE QQ530 and hostcomputer QQ510. In providing the service to the remote user, hostapplication QQ512 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTTconnection QQ550.

Communication system QQ500 further includes base station QQ520 providedin a telecommunication system and comprising hardware QQ525 enabling itto communicate with host computer QQ510 and with UE QQ530. HardwareQQ525 may include communication interface QQ526 for setting up andmaintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of adifferent communication device of communication system QQ500, as well asradio interface QQ527 for setting up and maintaining at least wirelessconnection QQ570 with UE QQ530 located in a coverage area (not shown inFIG. 7) served by base station QQ520. Communication interface QQ526 maybe configured to facilitate connection QQ560 to host computer QQ510.Connection QQ560 may be direct or it may pass through a core network(not shown in FIG. 7) of the telecommunication system and/or through oneor more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. Inthe embodiment shown, hardware QQ525 of base station QQ520 furtherincludes processing circuitry QQ528, which may comprise one or moreprogrammable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, fieldprogrammable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted toexecute instructions. Base station QQ520 further has software QQ521stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system QQ500 further includes UE QQ530 already referredto. Its hardware QQ535 may include radio interface QQ537 configured toset up and maintain wireless connection QQ570 with a base stationserving a coverage area in which UE QQ530 is currently located. HardwareQQ535 of UE QQ530 further includes processing circuitry QQ538, which maycomprise one or more programmable processors, application-specificintegrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations ofthese (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE QQ530 furthercomprises software QQ531, which is stored in or accessible by UE QQ530and executable by processing circuitry QQ538. Software QQ531 includesclient application QQ532. Client application QQ532 may be operable toprovide a service to a human or non-human user via UE QQ530, with thesupport of host computer QQ510. In host computer QQ510, an executinghost application QQ512 may communicate with the executing clientapplication QQ532 via OTT connection QQ550 terminating at UE QQ530 andhost computer QQ510. In providing the service to the user, clientapplication QQ532 may receive request data from host application QQ512and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connectionQQ550 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Clientapplication QQ532 may interact with the user to generate the user datathat it provides.

It is noted that host computer QQ510, base station QQ520 and UE QQ530illustrated in FIG. 7 may be similar or identical to host computerQQ430, one of base stations QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c and one of UEsQQ491, QQ492 of FIG. 6, respectively. This is to say, the inner workingsof these entities may be as shown in FIG. 7 and independently, thesurrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 7, OTT connection QQ550 has been drawn abstractly to illustratethe communication between host computer QQ510 and UE QQ530 via basestation QQ520, without explicit reference to any intermediary devicesand the precise routing of messages via these devices. Networkinfrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured tohide from UE QQ530 or from the service provider operating host computerQQ510, or both. While OTT connection QQ550 is active, the networkinfrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamicallychanges the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing considerationor reconfiguration of the network).

Wireless connection QQ570 between UE QQ530 and base station QQ520 is inaccordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve theperformance of OTT services provided to UE QQ530 using OTT connectionQQ550, in which wireless connection QQ570 forms the last segment. Moreprecisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the channelsensing and thereby provide benefits such as better resolving ofcollisions.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoringdata rate, latency and other factors on which the one or moreembodiments improve. There may further be an optional networkfunctionality for reconfiguring OTT connection QQ550 between hostcomputer QQ510 and UE QQ530, in response to variations in themeasurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the networkfunctionality for reconfiguring OTT connection QQ550 may be implementedin software QQ511 and hardware QQ515 of host computer QQ510 or insoftware QQ531 and hardware QQ535 of UE QQ530, or both. In embodiments,sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association withcommunication devices through which OTT connection QQ550 passes; thesensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying valuesof the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values ofother physical quantities from which software QQ511, QQ531 may computeor estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTTconnection QQ550 may include message format, retransmission settings,preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base stationQQ520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station QQ520.Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in theart. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UEsignaling facilitating host computer QQ510's measurements of throughput,propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may beimplemented in that software QQ511 and QQ531 causes messages to betransmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTTconnection QQ550 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 8will be included in this section. In step QQ610, the host computerprovides user data. In substep QQ611 (which may be optional) of stepQQ610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a hostapplication. In step QQ620, the host computer initiates a transmissioncarrying the user data to the UE. In step QQ630 (which may be optional),the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried inthe transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance withthe teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.In step QQ640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a clientapplication associated with the host application executed by the hostcomputer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 9will be included in this section. In step QQ710 of the method, the hostcomputer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the hostcomputer provides the user data by executing a host application. In stepQQ720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user datato the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordancewith the teachings of the embodiments described throughout thisdisclosure. In step QQ730 (which may be optional), the UE receives theuser data carried in the transmission.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 10will be included in this section. In step QQ810 (which may be optional),the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionallyor alternatively, in step QQ820, the UE provides user data. In substepQQ821 (which may be optional) of step QQ820, the UE provides the userdata by executing a client application. In substep QQ811 (which may beoptional) of step QQ810, the UE executes a client application whichprovides the user data in reaction to the received input data providedby the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed clientapplication may further consider user input received from the user.Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided,the UE initiates, in substep QQ830 (which may be optional), transmissionof the user data to the host computer. In step QQ840 of the method, thehost computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, inaccordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 11will be included in this section. In step QQ910 (which may be optional),in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. Instep QQ920 (which may be optional), the base station initiatestransmission of the received user data to the host computer. In stepQQ930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user datacarried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according totheir ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless adifferent meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context inwhich it is used.

Reference has been made herein to various embodiments. However, a personskilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the describedembodiments that would still fall within the scope of the claims. Forexample, the method embodiments described herein describes examplemethods through method steps being performed in a certain order.However, it is recognized that these sequences of events may take placein another order without departing from the scope of the claims.Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel even thoughthey have been described as being performed in sequence.

In the same manner, it should be noted that in the description ofembodiments, the partition of functional blocks into particular units isby no means limiting. Contrarily, these partitions are merely examples.Functional blocks described herein as one unit may be split into two ormore units. In the same manner, functional blocks that are describedherein as being implemented as two or more units may be implemented as asingle unit without departing from the scope of the claims.

Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied toany other embodiment, wherever suitable. Likewise, any advantage of anyof the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa.

Hence, it should be understood that the details of the describedembodiments are merely for illustrative purpose and by no meanslimiting. Instead, all variations that fall within the range of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

Example Embodiments Group A Embodiments

-   -   A1. A method for managing network resources of a communication        network performed by a wireless device, the method comprising:        -   determining (110) a number of expected users to be            physically present at a planned event, wherein the expected            users are associated with a network operator; and        -   adapting (112, 215) an amount of available network resources            for the network operator in conjunction with the planned            event based on the number of expected users    -   A2. The method of any of the previous embodiments in Group A,        further comprising:        -   providing user data; and        -   forwarding the user data to a host computer via transmission            to a base station.

Group B Embodiments

-   -   B1. A method for managing network resources of a communication        network performed by a base station, the method comprising:        -   determining (110) a number of expected users to be            physically present at a planned event, wherein the expected            users are associated with a network operator; and        -   adapting (112, 215) an amount of available network resources            for the network operator in conjunction with the planned            event based on the number of expected users    -   B2. The method of any of the previous embodiments in Group B,        further comprising:        -   obtaining user data; and        -   forwarding the user data to a host computer or a wireless            device.

Group C Embodiments

-   -   C1. A wireless device for managing network resources of a        communication network the wireless device comprising a plurality        of transceiver antenna elements and being configured to operate        in a communication network, the wireless device further        comprising:        -   processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps            of any of the Group A embodiments; and        -   power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the            wireless device.    -   C2. A base station for managing network resources of a        communication network, the base station comprising a plurality        of transceiver antenna elements and being configured to operate        in a communication network, the base station further comprising:        -   processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps            of any of the Group B embodiments;        -   power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the            base station.    -   C3. A user equipment (UE) for managing network resources of a        communication network, the UE comprising a plurality of        transceiver antenna elements and being configured to operate in        a communication network, the UE further comprising:        -   an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals;        -   radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to            processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals            communicated between the antenna and the processing            circuitry;        -   the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of            the steps of any of the Group A embodiments;        -   an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and            configured to allow input of information into the UE to be            processed by the processing circuitry;        -   an output interface connected to the processing circuitry            and configured to output information from the UE that has            been processed by the processing circuitry; and        -   a battery connected to the processing circuitry and            configured to supply power to the UE.

Group D Embodiments

-   -   D1. A communication system including a host computer comprising:        -   processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and        -   a communication interface configured to forward the user            data to a cellular network for transmission to a user            equipment (UE),        -   wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having            a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base            station's processing circuitry configured to perform any of            the steps described for the Group B embodiments.    -   D2. The communication system of embodiment D1 further including        the base station.    -   D3. The communication system of any of embodiments D1 through        D2, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to        communicate with the base station.    -   D4. The communication system of any of embodiments D1 through        D3, wherein:        -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured            to execute a host application, thereby providing the user            data; and        -   the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute            a client application associated with the host application.    -   D5. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:        -   at the host computer, providing user data; and        -   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the            user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the            base station, wherein the base station performs any of the            steps described for the Group B embodiments.    -   D6. The method of embodiment D5, further comprising, at the base        station, transmitting the user data.    -   D7. The method of any of embodiments D5 through D6, wherein the        user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host        application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing        a client application associated with the host application.    -   D8. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base        station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing        circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments        D5 through D7.    -   D9. A communication system including a host computer comprising:        -   processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and        -   a communication interface configured to forward user data to            a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment            (UE),        -   wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing            circuitry, the UE's components configured to perform any of            the steps described for the Group A embodiments.    -   D10. The communication system of embodiment D9, wherein the        cellular network further includes a base station configured to        communicate with the UE.    -   D11. The communication system of any of embodiments D9 through        D10, wherein:        -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured            to execute a host application, thereby providing the user            data; and        -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a            client application associated with the host application.    -   D12. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:        -   at the host computer, providing user data; and        -   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the            user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the            base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps            described for the Group A embodiments.    -   D13. The method of embodiment D12, further comprising at the UE,        receiving the user data from the base station.    -   D14. A communication system including a host computer        comprising:        -   communication interface configured to receive user data            originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE)            to a base station,        -   wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing            circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to            perform any of the steps described for the Group A            embodiments.    -   D15. The communication system of embodiment D14, further        including the UE.    -   D16. The communication system of any of embodiments D14 through        D15, further including the base station, wherein the base        station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate        with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward        to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission        from the UE to the base station.    -   D17. The communication system of any of embodiments D14 through        D16, wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application; and    -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client        application associated with the host application, thereby        providing the user data.    -   D18. The communication system of any of embodiments D14 through        D17, wherein:        -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured            to execute a host application, thereby providing request            data; and        -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a            client application associated with the host application,            thereby providing the user data in response to the request            data.    -   D19. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:        -   at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the            base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the            steps described for the Group A embodiments.    -   D20. The method of embodiment D19, further comprising, at the        UE, providing the user data to the base station.    -   D21. The method of any of embodiments D19 through D20, further        comprising:        -   at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing            the user data to be transmitted; and        -   at the host computer, executing a host application            associated with the client application.    -   D22. The method of any of embodiments D19 through D21, further        comprising:        -   at the UE, executing a client application; and        -   at the UE, receiving input data to the client application,            the input data being provided at the host computer by            executing a host application associated with the client            application,        -   wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the            client application in response to the input data.    -   D23. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base        station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing        circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments        D19 through D22.    -   D24. A communication system including a host computer comprising        a communication interface configured to receive user data        originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a        base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio        interface and processing circuitry, the base station's        processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps        described for the Group B embodiments.    -   D25. The communication system of embodiment D24 further        including the base station.    -   D26. The communication system of any of embodiments D24 through        D25, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to        communicate with the base station.    -   D27. The communication system of any of embodiments D24 through        D25, wherein:        -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured            to execute a host application;        -   the UE is configured to execute a client application            associated with the host application, thereby providing the            user data to be received by the host computer.    -   D28. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:        -   at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user            data originating from a transmission which the base station            has received from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the            steps described for the Group A embodiments.    -   D29. The method of embodiment D28, further comprising at the        base station, receiving the user data from the UE.    -   D30. The method of any of embodiments D28 through D29, further        comprising at the base station, initiating a transmission of the        received user data to the host computer.    -   D31. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:        -   at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user            data originating from a transmission which the base station            has received from the UE, wherein the base station performs            any of the steps described for the Group B embodiments.    -   D32. The method of embodiment D31, further comprising at the        base station, receiving the user data from the UE.    -   D33. The method of any of embodiments D31 through D32, further        comprising at the base station, initiating a transmission of the        received user data to the host computer.

1. A method for managing network resources of a communication network,the method comprising: determining a number of expected users to bephysically present at a planned event, the expected users beingassociated with a network operator; and adapting an amount of availablenetwork resources for the network operator in conjunction with theplanned event based on the number of expected users.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the planned event is a physical eventassociated with a geographical location being under coverage of thecommunication network.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinadapting the amount of available network resources comprises obtaining arespective user profile for each of the expected users, wherein therespective user profile comprises information pertaining to at least oneof historical and current data usage for the expected user, and adaptingthe amount of available network resources based on the at least one ofthe historical and the current data usage for the expected users.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the respective user profile furthercomprises information pertaining to at least one of the historical andthe data usage in conjunction with one or more other events being one ofa same and substantially a same type as the planned event for theexpected user.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting theamount of available network resources is further based on one or moreof: a location of the planned event, timings associated with the plannedevent, an event type, a current network load, and a historical networkload.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the expected usershave registered to the planned event prior to the planned event througha registration portal associated with the planned event, and whereindetermining the number of expected users comprises acquiring the numberof expected users from the registration portal.
 7. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: determining for each of the expectedusers whether the expected user is an active user and adapting theamount of available network resources in conjunction with the plannedevent based on a number of active users of the expected users associatedwith the network operator.
 8. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: monitoring an actual data usage of each of the expectedusers during the planned event; storing information pertaining to theactual data usage for each expected user; and using the storedinformation pertaining to the actual data usage for each expected userwhen adapting available network resources for at least one future event.9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining atotal number of users expected to utilize network resources inconjunction with the planned event, wherein the total number of userscomprises the number of expected users and other users associated withat least one other network operator.
 10. A non-transitory computerstorage medium storing a computer program comprising programinstructions that, when loaded into and run by a processor, cause theprocessor to execute method, the method comprising: determining numberof expected users to be physically present at a planned event, theexpected users being associated with a network operator; and adapting anamount of available network resources for the network operator inconjunction with the planned event based on the number of expectedusers.
 11. An apparatus for managing network resources of acommunication network, the apparatus comprising controlling circuitryconfigured to cause: determination of a number of expected users to bephysically present at a planned event, the expected users beingassociated with a network operator; and adaptation of an amount ofavailable network resources for the network operator in conjunction withthe planned event based on the number of expected users.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the planned event is a physicalevent associated with a geographical location being under coverage ofthe communication network.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the controlling circuitry is further configured to causeadaptation of the amount of available network resources by causingobtainment of a respective user profile for each of the expected users,wherein the respective user profile comprises information pertaining toone of historical and current data usage for the expected user, andadapting the amount of available network resources based on the one ofthe historical and the current data usage for the expected users. 14.The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the respective user profilefurther comprises information pertaining to one of the historical andthe current data usage in conjunction with one or more other eventsbeing of one of a same and substantially a same similar type as theplanned event for the expected user.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the controlling circuitry is configured to causeadaptation of the amount of available network resources based on one ormore of: a location of the planned event, timings associated with theplanned event, an event type, a current network load, and a historicalnetwork load.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein theexpected users have registered to the planned event prior to the plannedevent through a registration portal associated with the planned event,and wherein the controlling circuitry is configured to causedetermination of the number of expected users by causing acquirement ofthe number of expected users from the registration portal.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the controlling circuitry isfurther configured to cause: determination, for each of the expectedusers, of whether the expected user is an active user and adapting theamount of available network resources in conjunction with the plannedevent based on a number of active users of the expected users associatedwith the network operator.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the controlling circuitry is further configured to cause:monitoring of an actual data usage of each of the expected users duringthe planned event; storing of information pertaining to the actual datausage for each expected user; and usage of the stored informationpertaining to the actual data usage for each expected user when adaptingavailable network resources for at least one future event.
 19. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the controlling circuitry isfurther configured to cause: determination of a total number of usersexpected to utilize network resources in conjunction with the plannedevent, wherein the total number of users comprises the number ofexpected users and other users associated with at least one othernetwork operator.
 20. A control node for a communication network, thecontrol node comprising an apparatus, the apparatus comprisingcontrolling circuitry configured to cause: determination of a number ofexpected users to be physically present at a planned event, the expectedusers being associated with a network operator; and adaptation of anamount of available network resources for the network operator inconjunction with the planned event based on the number of expectedusers.